Journalism Education
Kent State’s online Master of Arts in Journalism Education prepares educators to foster journalism skills in students, from reporting to digital media. With a curriculum focused on media literacy, ethics, and pedagogy, this program is ideal for those who want to strengthen journalism instruction in schools and community programs. Graduates are equipped to shape informed, critical thinkers in a media-saturated world.
Master of Arts Degree in Journalism Education Program Overview
The Master of Arts degree in Journalism Education is intended for those seeking to teach or advise student journalists. The program is affiliated with Kent State’s Center for Scholastic Journalism, and faculty include some of the most-recognized high school journalism educators in the country.
The program provides continuing education opportunities to high school teachers who are responsible for teaching and advising an array of student media content, including school social media channels, yearbook, school newspaper, video and photography. The program also serves practicing journalists who are transitioning to teaching in the higher education arena.
The curriculum focuses on foundational knowledge in media and journalism, as well as pedagogical practices that students can apply to secondary and post-secondary teaching environments. The program highlights the core concepts of First Amendment press freedom, media literacy and the role of media in society — scaffolding that knowledge with content creation skills across an array of media platforms. Interwoven with those knowledge areas and skillsets are best practices in the teaching of scholastic media to high school and college students.
Students complete a culminating integrated learning experience through designated course assignments from each of the six core courses. Each of the six assignments give the student the opportunity to create a deliverable suitable for use in a classroom setting such as a lesson plan, class activity, handbook or instruction manual or other asset.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Recognize and advocate for the importance of journalism education to the future of journalism.
- Employ best practices in journalism education.
- Articulate the role of media in a democratic society.
- Demonstrate fundamental journalism skills through the production of media content.
- Analyze and engage with the dynamics of the changing contemporary media environment.
- Discuss the fundamentals of media literacy and relate them to the context of journalism education.
Master of Arts Degree in Journalism Education Program Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé or vitae
- Goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
- Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 DET score
1International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| MDJ 60011 | THEORY AND SOCIETAL ROLE OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM | 3 |
| MDJ 60012 | MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS | 3 |
| MDJ 60701 | ADVISING STUDENT MEDIA | 3 |
| MDJ 61001 | PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF DIGITAL MEDIA | 3 |
| MDJ 66011 | REPORTING, WRITING AND EDITING FOR MEDIA | 3 |
| MDJ 67067 | TEACHING MEDIA LITERACY | 3 |
| Major Electives, choose from the following: 1 | 12 | |
| MDJ 67075 | MEDIA CONTENT CREATION | |
| MDJ 67087 | ADVISING YEARBOOK | |
| LIS 60030 | PEOPLE IN THE INFORMATION ECOLOGY | |
| LIS 60510 | DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES I: DATA FUNDAMENTALS | |
| LIS 60511 | DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES II: INTERNET FUNDAMENTALS | |
| LIS 60512 | DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES III: INFORMATION SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS | |
| LIS 60617 | INFORMATION LITERACY FOR YOUTH | |
| LIS 60630 | REFERENCE SOURCES AND SERVICES FOR YOUTH | |
| LIS 60652 | FOUNDATIONS OF RECORDKEEPING IN SOCIETY | |
| LIS 61095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN INFORMATION STUDIES | |
| UX 60504 | ACCESSIBILITY AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 | |
1This is not an exhaustive list of courses. Students may choose other courses with consultation from their faculty advisor to identify the electives most relevant to their professional goals.
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| - | 3.000 |
- Evidence of the creation of a digital portfolio to showcase students’ deliverables and to capture their reflections as they complete the program as approved by graduate coordinator.
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Master of Arts Degree in Journalism Education Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $594.78 | $1,724.34 | $17,800 part-time1 $13,100 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $604.78 | $1,814.34 | $18,100 part-time3 $13,400 full-time4 |
1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester. This program consists of 2 semesters.
3The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180). The amount was calculated at students taking 15 credits for 2 semesters ($150 x 2).
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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